Feeler mechanism for looms



M. L. STONE.

FEEEER MECHANISM FOR LOOMS.

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I I: van z or mwm M. L. STONE.

FEELER MECHANISM FOR LOOMS.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 1920.

Patented May 24, 1921.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 plllmm UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MELVIN L. STONE, OF LAWRENCE, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO DRAPER CORPORA TION, OF HOPEDALE, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF MAINE.

FEELER MECHANISM FOR LOOMS.

Application filed March 4,

To all whom it may CO'HCG'Wt.

Be it known that I, MnLvix L. STONE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Lawrence, in the county of Essex and State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in F eeler Mechanisms for Looms, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like characters on the drawings representing like parts.

This invention relates to looms, and more particularly to looms of that type wherein the weft or filling is automatically replenished prior to the complete exhaustion of that in the active shuttle.

Looms of this general type are known as feeler looms, and are equipped with feeler mechanisms which ascertain the condition of the filling in, the shuttle on a detecting beat, and when that condition is found to be one of substantial exhaustion, a train of mechanism is set inoperation to effect relenishment of filling without stopping the 00m.

Various forms of :leeler mechanisms have heretofore been suggested, and in some of them a feeler lock has been provided to pre vent functional operation of the feeler mechanism until the filling in the shuttle has approached substantial exhaustion and then the lock has been tripped to permit the functional operation of the feele-r mechanism.

The present invention has more particular reference to that type of teeler mechanisms wherein a lock is employed for pr venting operation of the feeler mechanism until the fillin has reached a predetermined degree of exhaustion. The amount of filling, however, that remains upon the filling carrier or bobbin when replenishment is effected, constitutes waste; and it has been the constant effort of those suggesting feeler mechanisms to minimize this waste. An important feature of the present invention, therefore, consists of a feeler which is moved to cooperate with a bunch of filling when the main body of the filling is substantially exhausted, and to be held from functional operation by a lock until the bunch itself is substantially exhausted, and then to permit operation of the feeler to effect replenishment of filling.

In carrying this feature of the invention into practical effect, the feeler is mountedon a feeler carrierwhich is movable toward Specification of Letters Patent.

Pa tented May 24, 1921. 1920. Serial No. 363,175.

and from thefrontof theloom, and receives upon it on each detecting beat, frontward pressure of the filling centrally thereof through the pivotal support of the i'eeler, the consequence being that when a working sup-pl oi filling is present in the shuttle, the 'l eeler has no tendency to become tune tionally operative. lVhen, however, the filling in the shuttle has approached a dcgree of exhaustion sufiicient to uncover the bunch of filling initially wound upon the filling carrier or bobbin, the feelcr receives upon it the frontward push of the bunch which tends to turn the feeler on the t'eeler carrier and cause replenishment of filling. In the present invention, however, a loclr is employed which prevents functional operation of the feeler even after the bunch is uncovered, until-the bunch itself reaches a degree of substantial exhaustion, and thereupon frees the feeder to functional operation. Thus, after the main body of filling has become sufliciently exhausted from the filling carrier or bobbin, functional opera tion of the feeler requires that substantial exhaustion of the bunch must be reached before the teeler efl'ects replenishment of filling.

The above features of the present invention and novel elements and combinations of parts will be hereinafter described in connection with the accompanying drawings which illustrate a good, practical form of the invention.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the feeler side of the loom, some of the parts being broken away for clearness of illustration;

Fig. 2 is a similar perspective view showing the feeler mechanism in condition for effecting replenishment of filling;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged plan view detached, showing the action of the feeler just after the bunch has been uncovered by substantial exhaustion of the filling from the filling iarrier or bobbin; and

Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing the action of the fecler mechanism.

The loom frame l may be of usual or suitable construction for sustaining the operating parts, and may have the usual transverse or rock shaft suitably mounted thereon for rocking movement to efi'ect replenishment of filling; but since such rock shaft and its connections with the replenishing mechanism are old and well known and form no particular feature of the present invention, their illustration is not deemed necessary.

Rising from the transverse or rock shaft is the arm 2 on which is pivoted at. 3 the latch 4 having the end 5 which is adapted at times to be engaged by an operating member (3 connected to some going part of the loom, as for instance, the cam follower.

The loom frame 1 has the usual shipper stand, from which extends the slotted bracket or arm 8 to which is connected by the bolt 9, the bracket or support 10. Mounted on the bracket or support 10 is the feeler stand 11 which may be adjusted on the bracket by means of the screws 12 which pass through the slot 13, as usual, in the feeler stand.

Mounted for reciprocating movement in the feeler stand 11 is the feeler carrier 14, the front end portion of which. is formed as a stem or rod 15 about which is placed the spring 16 normally acting to maintain the feeler carrier ll in its rearward or feeling position.

The feeler carrier just described is a good, practical form of this feature. of the invention, although it is old in the art to provide other forms of feeler carriers, some of which have av swinging connection with the loom frame; and the term feeler carrier as herein used, is broadly inclusive of either form.

Pivotally supported on the feeler carrier at 17, is the actuator 18, the front end portion of which has a fan-tail 19 adapted to engage an arm .20, when the actuator 18 is in operz tive position. ln the present instance of the invention, the actuator 18 is normally held with its front or fan-tail end 19 in elevated position by means of a yielding pin or support 21, Fig. 1, such yielding pin or support 21 being of the usual type.

The arm 20 is pivotally mounted at 22 on the loom frame or to a bracket supported thereby, so that the arm 20 may swing in a horizontal plane or substantially so under the frontward pr "sure of the actuator 1.8, when the latter is in its operative position, as indicated in Fig. 2.

Pivotally mounted at 23 on a bracket 24 rising from the loom frame is the transmitter 25, the end adjacent the feeler carrier, as illustrated in Fig. 1, being provided with the side projecting arm 26 having a cam portion of the actuator 18 and has pivotally supported upon its rear end portion at 29, the feeler 30 which constitutes the sole filling engaging member to enter the shuttle and contact with the filling on a detecting beat. T he feeler 30 has a curved engaging end por tion 31 which may preferably be formed on the arc of a circle, with the pivot-al axis oi the feeler as a center. In order to maintain the feeler 30 in its central position, but with permissive movement laterally relative to the fceler carrier, a yielding n'ieans is employed which, in the present instance, comprises the side springs 32 connected to the feeler carrier at 33 and extending rea1= wardly, one at each side of the feeler 30, the construction being such that the springs 32 will normally hold the fceler 30 in its central feeling position. but will permit the feeler 30 to be moved or turned about its pivotal support under the application of a disturbing force.

The actuator 18 is provided with a knee portion 34; best indicated in Fig. 4, into which is adjustably secured the headed screw which constitutes a bunter for receiving the impact of av surface connected withthe feeler as will presently appear, when said feeler is moved or turned laterally on its pivotal support.

The feeler 30 has a frontwardly projecting arm 36 provided wit-l1 a laterally inclined or cam portion 37 which, when the feeler 30 is moved laterally upon its pivotal connection with the feeler carrier, will en gage the hunter 35 and cause the actuator 18 td'b'e depressed into position to engage the arm 20 on the frontward movement of the feeler car *ier.

lV hen a working supply of filling is present in the shuttle, as indicated in Fig.1, it is desirable that the frontward pressure against the feeler may not tendto disturb its position relative to the feeler carrier; consequently, the curved end engaging per tion 31 of the feeler 30 is formed to engage the main body of the Working supply of filling at a point centrally of the feeler, and to transmit such frontward pressure through the pivot of the feeler parallel with the frontward movement of the lay, the consequence being that on each detecting beat, when a working supply of filling is present in the shuttle, the frontward pressure of the filling mass will be transmitted to the feeler along the line ca centrally of the feeler and passing through its pivotal connection with the feeler carrier. When, however, the main body of the filling has become substantially exhausted, and a change of filling is soon to be required, it is desirable that the frontward pressure upon the feeler shall tend at such times to turn the feeler upon its pivotal support. To this end, the filling carrier 38, which is mounted in the shuttle 39 by the usual holding jaws 40, has wound upon it a bunch 41 preferably near the base of the filling carrier or bobbin, so that when the main body of filling has become substantially exhausted, the feeler will engage the bdnch, as indicated in Fig. 3, and will receive the frontward pressure of the bunch at the point a and in a direction substantially parallel to theline (lo-b which will tend to turn the feeler member on its pivotal connection with the feeler carrier. -However, the bunch contains suflicientfilling to enable the shuttle to make a few more. picks, and in order to minimize the amount of waste on the filling carrier or bobbin when replenishment is called, it is desirable that this surface filling in the bunch may itself be used, or that the bunch may be sufficiently exhausted prior to the call for a change of filling.

The present invention, therefore, provides a lock for preventing movement of the feeler on its pivot under the frontward ressure of the bunch'until the bunch itsel has become substantially exhausted, and thereupon freeing the feeler to its swinging movement.

In the present instance of the invention, the lock 42 is provided with a downwardlyextending arm pivotally mounted on the feeler carrier 14. The lock 42, in the present instance, is mounted upon the pivot 43 carried by a lug .44 so that the lock may be swung in a substantially vertical plane. A spring 45 normally acts to hold the lock 42 in its locking position, and bearing against a stop 46 whlch may be conveniently formed on the feeler carrier 14.

The lock 42 has a laterally-extending arm 47, the end portion of which is adapted to be interposed into the lateral path of movement of the arm 36 when the lock is in its locking position, the construction being such that at such times the feeler 30 will be locked from lateral movement relative to the feeler carrier. If desired, a toe or stop 48 may be extended from the arm 36 of the feeler against which the arm 47 may engage when the parts are in cooperative look ing position.

Ad'ustably connected to the locking arm 42 is a contact member which is adapted to engage a part carried by the lay when the filling constituting the bunch has been itself substantially exhausted. In the present instance of the invention, the adjustable contact member consists of the threaded stem 50 having a head 51. The threaded stem 50 is adjustably connected to the lock 42 and is held in locking position by a set nut 52, the construction being such that when a working supply of filling is in the shuttle on a detecting beat, the frontward pressure of the main body of the mass of filling is transmitted centrally through the feeler and its axis, as indicated by the line ab, Fig. 3, and at such times the contact member or stem 50 does not-engage with the part carried by the lay, which, in the present instance of the invention, is the front wall of the shuttle 39. When, however, the main body of the filling has been exhausted to a degree to expose the bunch t1, the frontward pressure of the hunch is exerted against the feeler to one side of the line a b and tends to turn the feeler member laterally on the feeler carrier. But inasmuch as the bunch contains sufiicient filling to lay a number of picks, the lock remains in locking position to restrain lateral movement of the feeler until the amount of filling on the bunch has been-depleted to a condition constituting substantial exhaustion of the bunch itself; and thereupon the contacting member engages with the front wall of the shuttle, and is pushed frontwa-rdly, thereby moving the locking member out of locking position and freeing the feeler to its lateral movement.

\Vhat is claimed is 1. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler carrier, a feeler mounted on the feeler carrier for movement in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle and having a filling engaging end with a central portion extending rearwardly beyond the side portions, yielding means normally acting to center the feeler relative to the feeler carrier to cause the central portion of the engaging end of the feeler to engage the filling and yieldable to permit the feeler to be moved in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle by the frontward pressure of a bunch of filling on the filling carrier, a lock which prevents responsive movement of the feeler to the push of the bunch until the bunch itself is nearly exhausted, and means for freeingthe feeler from the lock only when the bunch has been depleted to apredetermined amount.

2. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler carrier, :1 feeler extending rearwardly from the feeler carrier and. constituting the only member to enter the shuttle and engage the filling on a detectin' beat, a pivotal connection between the fee f er carrier ,and feeler, centering springs for maintaining the feeler infeelln position relative to the feeler carrier an yieldable to permit the feeler to be turned upon its ivot by the frontward pressure ot a bunc upon the feeler on a detecting beat, a lock which prevents responsive movement of the feeler to the frontward pressure of the bunch on a detecting beat until the bunch itself is substantially exhausted, and means actuated by pivotal movement of the feeler for effecting replenishment of filling.

3. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler carrier, a feeler pivoted on the carrier to engage the filling on a detecting beat, an actuator also mounted on the feeler carrier, a frontwardly extending arm forming a part of the feeler and having a cam surface adapted to engage and move the actuator into position to effect replenishment of filling when the feeler is move-d on its pivot by the frontward pressure of a bunch of filling upon it on a detecting beat, and a lock to prevent movement of the feeler on its pivot by the frontward pressure of the bunch of filling until the bunch of filling itself is substantially exhausted.

4. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler carrier, a feeler pivoted thereto to engage the filling on a detecting beat, springs acting on opposite portions of the feeler to normally retain it in central position, an actuator also mounted on the filling carrier, a frontvvardly extending arm forming a part of the feeler and having a cam surface adapted to engage and move the actuator into position to effect the replenishment of filling when the feeler is moved on its pivot by the frontward pressure of a bunch of filling upon it on a detecting beat, and a lock to prevent movement of the feeler on its pivot by the frontward pressure of the bunch of filling until the bunch of filling itself is substantially exhausted.

5. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler carrier, a feeler pivotally supported on the feeler carrier and having a curved rear engaging end, yielding means fo normally centering the feeler to cause the center portion of the curved rear end of the feeler to receive the frontward pressure of the filling on each detecting beat until the filling is substantially exhausted and exposes a bunch on the filling carrier, a lock for preventing movement of the feeler longitudinally of the shuttle by the frontward pressure of the bunch on a detecting beat until the bunch itself is substantially exhausted, and means for then freeing the feeler to movement longitudinally along the filling carrier.

6. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler carrier, a fecler pivotally mounted on the feeler carrier and having a rear engaging end curved front wardly from a central point of the engaging end, spring means for holding the feeler normally in central position that the central point of the feeler may receive the front- Ward impact of the filling on a detecting beat until the filling is sufiiciently exha usted to present a bunch on the filling carrier, a lock to prevent movement of the feeler longitudinally of the shuttle by the pressure of the exposed bunch until the bunch itself is substantially exhausted, and means for then freeing the feeler from the lock.

7. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler carrier, a feeler pivotally mounted centrally on the carrier to receive the frontward push centrally through the pivot on a detecting beat until the filling is substantially exhausted to expose a bunch of filling and then receiving the frontward push of the bunch on a detecting beat at one side of the pivot tending to turn the feeler, a lock for preventing the teeler from turning under the frontward push of the bunch until the bunch itself is substantially exhausted, an arm extending frontward from the pivot of the teeler and having a cam portion, an actuator mounted on. the feelercarrier and positioned by the side swipe movement of the cam portion when the feeler is turned, and means for replenishing filling.

In testlmony whereof, I have signed'my name to this specification.

MELVIN L. STONE. 

